How to Stay Motivated When You Aren’t Seeing Results

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Are you frustrated because you’ve been working toward a goal but aren’t seeing results? Maybe you’re trying a new diet, starting your own business, want to meet your soul mate, or you’re trying a new fitness routine, but you don’t seem to be seeing as much progress as you want.

No matter what, change is part of life. And with all change comes transition, that often uncomfortable phase where you aren’t where you use to be. Old habits have dropped. New ways of living are setting in, but you aren’t quite where you want to be. Hello, frustration.

This is where the true meaning of patience kicks in.

When we are working toward our goals, it is common to hit a wall. The number one reason people don’t continue with their plans is because they don’t see results fast enough. So they quit. You have to ask yourself what is most important to you, dig inward and get in touch with your why.

If you are trying to achieve your goal for validation, approval or ego driven reasons, you will fall into the demise of instant gratification. But when you are honest with yourself about why you started – to feel better, to be healthier, to receive more love, to help others – the reasons inspired by your soul, you will be able to overcome the challenging moments with more ease. All goals can be frustrating if we are only focused on results. Be patient with yourself and remind yourself why you started.

Focus on the Why

If you aren’t seeing results and this frustrates you, you could be focusing more on outward approval or validation instead of the why you started. Whether you want to lose weight, manifest the love of your life, or run a wellness business, the results you see are not as important as the results you want to achieve. When you focus on what you want instead of what you see, you will reach your goal faster. Remind yourself why you started and use this as motivation to keep going.

Reframe Results

The difference between who you were and who you want to be is what you do today. Keep going. Consider looking at your results in a new way. Instead of having expectations about how it is supposed to look, reframe your approach. Maybe you are trying to lose weight but the number on the scale isn’t moving as fast as you want. You can reframe your results by avoiding the scale for a few weeks and instead get in touch with how your body feels. Maybe your clothes fit better, your skin is clearer or your energy is more balanced. Just because the results aren’t obvious doesn’t mean there isn’t progress.

Focus on the Journey

If you are stuck in the in-between phase of where you use to be and not quite where you want to be, this is the moment of truth for you. Don’t confuse your path with your destination. It may be difficult and frustrating, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t going to turn around. The journey to reaching our goals is often as important as reaching the goal itself. When you are fully present in the experience, you will be able to override any setbacks. The journey is an adventure. If you are frustrated because you’re not seeing results, this list can help.

Photo Zak Shelhamer